All characters belong to Nintendo.

Mario's about to learn the price of being a king.

As if being a hero wasn't enough; Mario felt sheepish as he strolled through the town to the castle. Everyone in the kingdom who saw him either giving a slight bowing-gesture or calling him King Mario. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate it, but he was surprised with how quickly the citizens went from seeing him as their hero to their king.

"Well, I did marry a princess," Mario thought to himself as he got close to the castle, "I'll just have to get used to it."

When he came to the gate, the guards immediately took notice of their new king and rushed to open the door. "Welcome back King Mario," One of them said with a slight bow.

"Please," Mario said as he blushed, "Just call me Mario."

"Yes, my king," The other said and moved aside so Mario could enter.

Mario moaned softly and proceeded inside. This was DEFINITELY going to take some getting used to. Peach saw her husband entering the castle from the stairway and rushed down to embrace him. "Welcome back my darling," Peach giggled.

Mario smiled and returned the gesture, "Good to be back." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the mini-plunder chest and handed it over to his wife, "That's for letting me borrow it, Peachy-hime."

"Of course," Peach replied happily and took it, "I had some of the maids and butlers help me take the boxes up the stairs, you can sort them out in a while."

"Thanks." Mario sat on the steps, feeling tired from all the packing, "Because my back is-a killing me," He yawned in an exaggerated tone.

Peach chuckled, "Want me to give you a back rub?" She joked.

Mario looked up at his wife giving her a playful pout, "Maybe."

Peach laughed and jokily punched him in the shoulder, only for Mario to laugh himself. "So, how's Luigi?"

Mario's joyful-spirit damped instantly as he lowered his head to the ground.

"What's wrong dear?"

"N-Nothing!" Mario said quickly.

"You're worried about him aren't you," Peach concluded.

Mario sighed heavily, and looked into Peach's eyes, "I don't Peach, I mean Luigi's an adult. We're 25 years old and have our own lives. I don't get why I feel so worried about him."

"Because you two have always been close, and this is a big change for you guys." Peach sat down next to Mario, "Yes you've left home many times, but this time is different."

"I know," Mario removed his hat and ran his fingers through his chestnut brown hair, "It feels so weird living somewhere without him. Don't misunderstand," He took Peach's hands and looked at her, "I don't regret marrying you, but I guess I'm being overprotective. It's stupid."

"It's not stupid," Peach said firmly, "You and Luigi have gone through so much together. You've always been there for each other. I've seen how you two manage on your own and together. You're strong along, but stronger as one. The bond you two share is eternal, one that shines brighter than all the stars in the sky."

Mario smiled his wife, she was right. The Mario brothers have gone through so much together. From their misadventures as infants to their own kinds of mischief as kids, to even all the craziness in the Mushroom Kingdom. Through it all, there's no one Mario would rather have by his side than his twin. However, right before he had a chance to even tell her this . . .

CRASH!

The royal couple stood up in alarm and rushed outside the palace, with the guards following them. Everyone's eyes widen when they saw what had landed in the castle gardens: Mario's Old house.

"What in the world!?" Peach gasped in fright.

"LUIGI!" Mario immediately rushed towards the house but stopped when a guard used her arm to block his path.

"My king, please stay here with the queen!" she begged.

"We will handle this." Another guard said.

"But Luigi—"

"We'll make sure Master Luigi's safe," The guard reassured, "Just wait here until we deem it's safe for you."

Before Mario could argue anymore, the guards entered the house to look for the missing Mario bro.

"They know you're not helpless Mario, but things aren't like they used to," Peach said and placed a comforting hand on her king's shoulder.

"The queen is right Master Mario," Toadsworth appeared next to Peach and looked at him, "You are the king now."

Mario bit his lip in agitation. Toadsworth and Peach were right, he's king now, and he knew that the guards were trying to do their job by keeping him and his queen safe from harm. But it was still frustrating that he was standing there doing nothing while had happened to his brother. Luigi could be hurt, and as his big brother, it's Mario's job to keep him safe. After what felt almost like hours, a guard came out and ushered Mario into the house. Mario darted straight in, determined to find out what happened and make sure Luigi was safe.

"Did you find him?" He asked hastily.

"No my king, we searched but he's not there," The guard replied.

"But we did find this," Another said, in the kitchen area.

Mario darted straight into the room only to stop dead in his tracks. On the wall, painted in red, was Bowser's enigma. Mario felt his heart pulsing rapidly, threatening to burst out of his chest. Clenching his fists, he dashed out of the house, and passed his wife, ignoring her when she called out to him. Jumping over the wall, Mario skyrocketed towards the nearest warp pipe to his archenemy's castle, hellbent on finding his missing twin.

Hell Have no furry, Bowser's gonna have to say his PRAYERS once Mario gets ahold of him.